The project will also cover support services for the next three years.

Both desktops and laptops must be Intel/AMD X86 64bit-capable and Windows Vista Premium Ready.

The department manages a fleet of nearly 3000 desktop computers and 300 portable units. An estimated 2000 desktop units were replaced in the 2005-06 financial year. This tender is for replacement of the remainder of the fleet.

According to tender documents, the department's strategic direction specifically involves the use of 64-bit technology, mainly to consolidate services and hardware, and the successful tender will fit straight into its standard operating environment (SOE) and the eventual rollout of Windows Vista.

"The specifications are to allow for vendors/CPU mainboards and chipsets options that are Vista-compatible as defined in the Microsoft Hardware compatibility list, therefore future-proofing the desktop hardware over its life expectancy," tender documents state.